Kingston Public Bar and Kitchen – Newtown

The bathroom walls of this small bar (owned by the same guys behind Glebe’s The Little Guy) are covered with photos of people’s selfies – and they’re highly revealing selfies.

I first find out about this from my gay wingman, who staggers out of the bathroom looking disturbed. He sits down on the bar stool next to mine, takes a stiff drink from his cocktail, and tells me he’ll never be the same again.

As much as I like obscene bathroom photography, however, it’s the cocktails that persuaded me to write this bar review (my New Year’s resolution is to only review a handful of bars a year, sleep more, and mention my cat less during job interviews and dates).

But enough about me.

The GW orders the Alexander the Drunk, made with Bowmore scotch, Noilly Prat dry vermouth, Dolin Rouge sweet vermouth, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, and an absinthe rinse. This is an almost perfect cocktail: it’s dry, smells like scotch and yet tastes like you’re drinking a Cuban cigar – and believe me when I say that’s a good thing.

I order the Basil Fawlty, made with Beefeater gin, elderflower liqueur, basil, lemon, orange bitters and served with fresh basil leaves poking out the top. The GW accuses me of ordering a ladies’ drink but I don’t care: it’s as refreshing as a frolic with my cat on a balmy summer evening.

Ok, maybe that last sentence doesn’t make sense.

Here is what else I like about Kingston Public:

The old amplifier playing 60s music at a low-enough volume so you can have a conversation

The long, sweeping bar counter with stools

The friendly service and relaxed atmosphere.

Oh yes: they have a kitchen that pumps out food such as salt cod croquettes, ocean trout roulade and chicken liver parfait – but I’d rather stick to the selfies and girly drinks.

Kingston Public Bar and Kitchen. 62-64 King Street, Newtown (the sign outside cryptically says: “Nothing to see here”). Open Monday to Saturday until midnight, Sunday until 10pm. See the Kingston Public Bar Facebook page